edification
gb/ˌɛdəfɪkˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɛdəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
abstract
1
useful learning and instruction
learning that helps you understand something better
Usage pattern:
edification (of [someone]); for (the) edification of [someone]
Common mistake:
Often used in formal contexts; in everyday speech people more often say "information," "learning," or "education."
Synonyms
instruction (More common and neutral; focuses on teaching.)
|
education (Broader; often refers to schooling or a longer process.)
|
enlightenment (Suggests a clearer or deeper understanding.)
Antonyms
ignorance (The absence of knowledge or understanding.)
|
misinformation (Information that misleads rather than improves understanding.)
Collocations
for your edification
|for the edification of others
|public edification
|personal edification
|intellectual edification
|edification and entertainment
|seek edification
|provide edification
|a source of edification
|edification of the reader
Themes
education
|learning
|communication
Examples
- The documentary was made for public edification as well as entertainment.
- She read widely for her own edification, not for exams.
- The professor’s comments were intended for the edification of the whole class.
Learner examples
- I read this book for edification.
- The talk was for our edification.
Noun
formal
C1
process
2
moral or spiritual improvement
becoming a better person through teaching or guidance
Usage pattern:
edification (of [someone]); spiritual edification
Common mistake:
In this sense it does not mean "making someone feel happy" (that is closer to "comfort" or "encouragement").
Synonyms
uplift (Less formal; focuses on improving feelings or character.)
|
moral instruction (More explicit about teaching right and wrong.)
|
spiritual nourishment (Emphasizes strengthening faith or inner life.)
Antonyms
corruption (Moral worsening rather than improvement.)
|
depravity (Strong term for moral decline.)
Collocations
spiritual edification
|moral edification
|religious edification
|edification of the faithful
|a sermon for edification
|edification and exhortation
|offer edification
|bring edification
|for edification
|words of edification
Themes
religion
|ethics
|self_improvement
Examples
- The group meets weekly for prayer and mutual edification.
- The pastor emphasized that the message should be practical and aimed at edification.
- She chose stories that offered moral edification rather than gossip.
Learner examples
- The sermon gave me edification.
- We meet for spiritual edification.
Noun
archaic
C2
process
3
act of building something
the building of something (old use)
Usage pattern:
the edification of [a building/structure]
Common mistake:
In modern English, this meaning is rare; "construction" is the normal word.
Synonyms
construction (Standard modern term for building.)
|
erection (More formal/technical in this sense; common in older writing.)
Antonyms
demolition (Destroying a structure rather than building it.)
Collocations
the edification of a church
|the edification of a temple
|edification of a house
|edification of public works
Themes
architecture
|building
Examples
- The records describe the edification of the original chapel in the 1600s.
- Funds were collected for the edification of a new schoolhouse.
Grammar
Dictionary form
edification
IPA
GB/ˌɛdəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɛdəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
edi - fic - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (tion)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: edification
- Plural: edification
Word family
Core family
edify
verb C1
edifying
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unedifying
adjective
Expressions
for the edification of
1/fɚ ðə ˌɛdəfɪkˈeɪʃən əv/
fixed phrase
formal
to educate an audience
so that someone can learn from it
Examples
- She repeated the story for the edification of the new team members.
- The guide was written for the edification of first-time buyers.
- He posted the email thread for the edification of anyone still confused.
for your edification
1/fɚ jˈʊɹ ˌɛdəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
to inform you helpfully
I’m telling you this to help you understand.
Examples
- For your edification, the deadline is midnight on Friday, not Thursday.
- He sent the policy document around for your edification.
- For your edification, this feature was removed in the latest update.
mutual edification
1/mjˈut͡ʃuəl ˌɛdəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
improving together through learning
learning and improving together
Examples
- The small group meets for mutual edification and support.
- They shared feedback in a spirit of mutual edification rather than criticism.